IN BRIEF: Hoon challenges critics of defence exports

Defence secretary Geoffrey Hoon urged defence firms to challenge critics of defence exports, and explain the vital role they play in sustaining industry and the economy. He was responding to what he called `screaming newspaper articles about export policy’. Exports account for 40% of defence industry output.

Defence secretary Geoffrey Hoon urged defence firms to challenge critics of defence exports, and explain the vital role they play in sustaining industry and the economy. He was responding to what he called `screaming newspaper articles about export policy’. Exports account for 40% of defence industry output.